Covid-19 Impact on Museums and Galleries Sector in Scotland (April 2020)
Coronavirus / COVID-19
Situation overview
"more than half of the museums who took part in a study would run out of funds within the next six months."
Independent museums, which make up more than half of the sector population, are those who are in most need of immediate support. Most have no core funding and are entirely reliant on earned income, with high seasonality meaning the coming months are critical and this time of year is their cashflow low point. The smallest museums are volunteer-run with no paid staff and for the most part are more financially stable but still have fixed costs.
Many museums and galleries currently fall between the gap of support already announced by the UK and Scottish Governments. MGS is working to determine the extent of this, but initial feedback highlights that schemes need to be more adaptable or inclusive if they are to achieve their potential to support museums and galleries.
Feedback on current emergency funding schemes Third Sector Resilience Fund – Not all museums are eligible to apply, and MGS will be working to determine where the gaps are. A number of museums are unable to receive either of the Business Continuity Grants due to the rateable value of our Museums, despite nearly all already receiving rate relief and being not-for-profit organisations. Cashflow loans are unsuitable when organisations are not generating net positive cash, and many will be operating at breakeven when they would asked to repay.
MGS announced details of and opened two new funds to support museums and galleries on 08/04/2020. An Urgent Response Fund will support independent museums and galleries – a part of the sector that has been critically affected by Covid-19 at this time – £700K is available
